World Cup Top South American Team Odds: Argentina and Brazil duel it out

The World Cup starts on Thursday 11 June and I for one cannot wait. For the first time since 2006, a South American nation goes into the tournament as holders, with Argentina looking to defend their crown in North America. 

Will they go all the way, will Brazil get back to their best or will see a surprise from a dark horse? Check out my World Cup Top South American Team Odds down below. 

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World Cup Odds

Argentina @ 6/4

The world champions are coming into this tournament as the sixth-favourites to go back-to-back, which is noteworthy. Four European giants, plus Brazil, all have a better chance of winning this World Cup according to Betfred, with Lionel Scaloni naming a very similar squad to the one that tasted glory in Qatar. 

From a quick bit of research, I believe that no holders have gone into a World Cup at longer odds than Argentina (9/1 outright), so they are being written off in some sense. I don’t fancy them particularly either but a big South American nation could go well in these conditions, and Lionel Messi is still Messi, even at 39. 

Their group looks relatively straightforward, so they should top it, but can they beat the best in the knockouts again?

Brazil @ 11/8

Brazil now have Carlo Ancelotti in charge and they are looking to go deep into this World Cup. The hullabaloo around Neymar is a bit of a circus, but they do have a decent squad including the likes of Igor Thiago, Vinicius Jr. and Raphinha in attack, so they should be decent. 

Their group is tough, with Morocco, Haiti and Scotland all set to pose different threats, but again they should progress. If Ancelotti can get things right, this team could do very well indeed. Despite not impressing that much in qualifying, I can see why they are fancied to be the best South American team, and at a push, I would probably take them over Argentina.

Colombia @ 6/1

We are looking outside the big two now, and into dark horse territory. Colombia went two years without losing, 28 matches unbeaten, leading up to the 2024 Copa America final, which they lost to Argentina in extra-time.

They are clearly a strong outfit and finished third in World Cup qualifying, and took four points off Argentina in qualifying, while they also beat Brazil at home. Portugal, Uzbekistan and DR Congo join them in their group so they should qualify comfortably, and could make a deep run in North America.

Uruguay @ 8/1

Uruguay are not the team they once were, with Luis Suarez now left at home. However, they do have Marcelo Bielsa in charge and finished fourth in qualifying after competitive games against the big guns.

They may be served well by a strong defence, having conceded just 12 goals in 18 World Cup games, and they do still have Darwin Nunez up top and Federico Valverde in the middle. If they can top their group the draw may open up, but a last 32 meeting with Argentina could be on the agenda.

Ecuador @ 16/1

Everyone’s favourite dark horse. Just five goals conceded in qualifying is simply ridiculous and they were the second strongest team in South America, only behind Argentina. I think their group of Germany, Ivory Coast and Cape Verde offers opportunities, and a strong defence can carry them far.

I think this is the value pick at 16/1.

Paraguay @ 25/1

It is tough to see Paraguay over-performing to this extent. A group with Australia, Turkey and hosts USA looks tough to progress from, and even if they do make it through, it will probably be as a third-place side. 

That means they probably face a group winner, and the last 32 is as far as they will go.